15 February 2009

If this is not bad luck….

If there is anybody who doubts that luck plays a part in the final result, the match of Juventus against Sampdoria is clear evidence of this.

The summary of the first half is easy: Juventus constantly on the attack with Sampdoria scoring on the only real shot on goal. On the first minute there is a good run by Nedved who serves Molinaro but his cross ends in the hands of the keeper. Four minutes later a good run followed by a shot by Pavel Nedved sees Castellazzi forced to a corner. From the corner a series of attempts sees the defence trying to clear with Mellberg finally heading slightly wide.

The 7th minute sees Alex Del Piero in a beautiful attempt after a good through ball into the area by Molinaro but the ball goes inches wide. Two minutes after Cassano puts a good ball through for Pazzini who puts the ball beyond Buffon and into the net for the 0-1. On the 15th minute there is a bad foul on Amauri and free-kick for Juventus but the ball does not make it into the area.

Juventus continue their assault on the Sampdoria area. On the 17th minute, Molinaro puts a good ball into the area but Amauri is anticipated by the Samp defence. Three minutes later there is a golden opportunity for Amauri after a ball put into the area by Del Piero but the Brazilian striker does not manage to touch. From the flag a dangerous ball is put into the area but the defence deviates into another corner.

Juventus are showing good midfield work but luck is certainly not on their side. On the 24th minute Juventus are awarded a free-kick. Nedved takes it: ball into the area, Amauri tries to head but Castellazzi saves easily. Five minutes later an excellent cross into the area by Nedved with Camoranesi who heads the ball which goes inches high. On the 32nd minute there is a good attack by Del Piero who serves Amauri who in turn returns the ball but the defence clears. Two minutes later Buffon saves a Cassano ball rather easily.

On the 35th minute the ball rolls out inches wide after a great Camoranesi attempt. Two minutes later a good Nedved shot after a corner rebound goes wide. One minute later the ball is put into the area, Amauri stops the ball well but Castellazzi manages to grab it before the Brazilian has time to strike. On the 39th minute Del Piero passes to Nedved but the ball hits the post and stops centimeters from the line with the Samp defence managing to clear. Unlucky.

On the 41st  minute there is a corner for Juventus after yet another close call on an Amauri shot but the deefnce finally clears. Three minutes later Cassano scares Juventus with a good run and a cross but Pazzini shoots high.

On the 45th minute there is a free-kick for Juventus: Camoranesi takes it but Nedved hits the bar again. One minute later Grygera passes to Poulsen who sends the ball high from outside the area with the referee pointing to the dressing rooms for the end of the first half.

The second half sees the match continue were it left off in the first 45 minutes: Juventus extremely unlucky continuously on the attack with the elements having decided to work against the bianconeri.

In the beginning of the second half Giovinco came on for Poulsen. On the 2nd minute a good Molinaro run sees the ball being cleared by the defence on the cross. One minute later there is a free-kick for Sampdoria after a foul on Cassano by Legrottaglie. The defence manages to take the ball out but the ball is somehow deviated and ends against the post. This is the only really goal opportunity for Sampdoria apart from the goal in the first half.

On the 6th minute the ball crosses the whole Samp area but there is no Juve attacker to strike home. Two minutes later Giovinco puts the ball in the area for Del Piero but the ball is too long for the captain. On the 11th minute there is another golden opportunity for Juventus with Giovinco putting a golden ball into the area but nobody manages to deviate. A number of Juventus players try to shoot but the defence manages to shoot home but each time the defence manages to deviate.

Three minutes later great work by Camoranesi to no avail as there is nobody to receive his cross into the area. On the 15th minute Legrottaglie manages to save brilliantly on Cassano after a good run by the Samp forward. Juventus are rewarded for their great play on the 16th minute when a great Giovinco cross finds Amauri who heads home brilliantly for the equalizer. Two minutes later Juventus are awarded a free-kick: Del Piero takes it but the ball hits the bar yet again and this time of two posts!

On the 19th minute there is a corner for Juventus. Del Piero heads the ball which ends inches wide. Two minutes later another good Juve initiative: Giovinco serves Amauri who crosses into the area but Castellazzi saves. One minute later there is an incredible run by Legrottaglie who eneters the area and passes to Amauri but Castellazzi saves rather easily.

On the 23rd minute Marchionni comes on for Camoranesi. Seconds later Giovinco passes to Del Piero who does not manage to control the ball from an inviting position. Three minutes later good ball into the area by Grygera but nobody there to deviate. Ten minutes later Juventus are awarded a corner: the ball is put into the area by Nedved but it is low and the defence manages to clear.

On the 37th minute a powerful shot by Giovinco sees Castellazzi saving. One minute later another good ball into the area by Giovinco but Castellazzi grabs onto the sphere. Juventus seem to be jinxed as every attempt on the Sampdoria goal seems to find some sort of unlucky twist. On the 43rd minute Marchisio comes on for Tiago. Two minutes later it is the young midfielder who tries from outside the area with the ball going slightly high after a slight Palombo deviation but the referee does not give the corner.

The four minutes of stoppage time given by the referee are no different from the rest of the match and at the end Juventus leave the firled knowing they were denied three points by luck.

Serie A 2008/09  - 24th match day
Turin, Olympic Stadium
Sunday 15th February 2009

JUVENTUS – SAMPDORIA 1-1

Scorers : Pazzini (9th), Amauri (61st),

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Mellberg, Legrottaglie,  Molinaro; Camoranesi (Marchionni 68th), Tiago (Marchisio 88th), Poulsen (Giovinco 45th), Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero. Reserves: Manninger, Chiellini, Ariaudo, Ekdal, Marchisio, Marchionni, Giovnco. Coach: Ranieri.

SAMPDORIA: Castellazzi; Stankevicius, Gastaldello (Ferri 70th), Raggi (Da Costa 58th); Padalino, Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Pazzini, Cassano (Ziegler 75th). Reserves: Mirante, Da Costa, Ferri, Ziegler, Dessena, Mustacchio, Marilungo. Coach: Mazzarri.

REFEREE: Orsato from Schio.

Yellow Cards :  Nedved (47th), Gastaldello (64th), Legrottaglie (65th),

 

 

Atalanta	Roma	3 - 0
Cagliari	Lecce	2 - 0
Chievo	Catania	1 - 1
Genoa	Fiorentina	3 - 3
Inter	Milan	2 - 1
Juventus	Sampdoria	1 - 1
Lazio	Torino	1 - 1
Napoli	Bologna	1 - 1
Reggina	Palermo	0 - 0
Siena	Udinese	1 - 1